Mark Torpey is the sports editor of The Enterprise and The Patriot Ledger, and this is our all-sports blog. Use it as a jumping off point for our sport-specific blogs on Boston pro teams, or stay right here and talk about high school and college
...

Mark Torpey is the sports editor of The Enterprise and The Patriot Ledger, and this is our all-sports blog. Use it as a jumping off point for our sport-specific blogs on Boston pro teams, or stay right here and talk about high school and college sports and other topics.

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Dec. 2, 2012
12:01 a.m.

On January 7, Alabama plays Notre Dame for the National Championship.

Let the breathless hype begin.

This game will be dissected more closely than O.J.’s bloody glove or Elizabeth Warren’s heritage.

The glamour pairing carries the same heft as; DiMaggio and Monroe, Bogart and Bacall, Mick and Keith, or Ara and the Bear.

In fact, greatest game I ever watched: ’73 Sugar Bowl, New Year’s Eve; 24-23 ND over Bama, Ara vs. Bear, for National Championship.

Unfortunately, for the Irish faithful, this particular dream could turn into a horror show.

The ground force of Alabama’s firepower was on roaring display in the second half of the SEC Championship Game.

The Tide rolled for 350 punishing rushing yards in its 32-28 comeback victory over Georgia.

In fact over the last five years of its run, when Alabama, under Saban, rushes for at least 150 yards, its record is an eye-popping: 48-0.

That will be the test for Notre Dame.

Can the Irish front seven, led by its Heisman candidate, linebacker Manti Teo, penetrate the seemingly impenetrable and All-America laden, Bama offensive line?

St. Nick’s Tuscaloosan Titans, are also trying to become the first team to win consecutive titles since the Nebraska teams of Tommy Frazier in 1994,’95.

Speaking of Nebraska, yikes, it’s time for the Administration to take a serious look at Coach Bo Pelini.

His Cornhusker team was shredded by the Badgers of Wisconsin, allowing more than a point a minute, in its 70-31 drubbing. Double Yikes!

And no, this wasn’t a basketball game; it was for a spot in the Rose Bowl.

Wiscy ran for a Jaw-dropping 539 rushing yards, as the once revered “Black-Shirts” D, was reduced to a bunch of slow footed players, sporting, not eye black, but black eyes.

The Lincoln nightmare occurred against a team with 5 losses, and one whose offense ranked a less than mediocre; 84th in the nation. Mind boggling!

It has been 13 years and counting, since Nebraska football last captured a Conference Championship, and with Ohio State coming off probation, the future is grim.

As for Husker Coach Bo Pelini, who once again “apologized” for his team’s no-show, he may be on the clock next year.

But in all honesty, this wasn’t just a no-show, it was an AWOL by the coaching staff.

In contrast, congrats to QB Tino Sunseri, and tailback Ray Graham of the Pitt Panthers for punching its ticket into a bowl game after its; 27-3 victory over South Florida.

After its first two games, Pitt was 0-2, including a loss to a Division 1AA team, and looked like one of the worst teams in the nation.

Under the tutelage of first year head man; Paul Chryst, the Panthers bounced backed impressively, allowing its two classy seniors the opportunity to wear the Pitt uniform one more time.

Good for them!

Finally it was once again: “Sorry Charlie,” for old friend, and KU coach, Charlie Weis as his sorry Jayhawks (1-11) were eviscerated by West Virginia; 59-10.

Kansas has now lost 20 consecutive conference games and 20 in a row to Division 1 opponents. YIKES!!

That’s a record of ineptitude that could challenge Mass drug lab chemist; Annie Dookhan.

Here’s hoping that BC will do the right thing and look across the river at Harvard’s Timmy Murphy for its next football coach.

That’s it from cyber space. We’ll be up and running with the last regular game of the season, our favorite: Army/Navy on Wednesday night, as well as the results of my Heisman ballot.